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Bambara groundnut is an indigenous African legume, which is the third most important after peanut and cowpea in terms of consumption and socio-economic impact in semi-arid Africa. There is, therefore, the need for adequate research attention, especially with regard to yield improvement. In this study, nine genotypes of the Bambara groundnut (Cream with white eye, Black with white eye, Cream with brown eye, Cream with black eye, Cream with black eye and brown stripes, Cream with brown stripes, Deep-brown with white eye, Cream with black stripes and Brown white eye) were evaluated at Kuru, Nigeria (Lat. 09[degrees] 44'N, Long. 08[degrees] 47'E, altitude 1, 217 m above sea level) in 2018 in order to determine character associations and to analyse the pathways to grain yield. Results showed that emergence rate, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, relative growth rate, harvest index, number of pods per plant and shelling percentage were positively correlated with total grain yield. The Results of the path coefficient analysis showed that the number of days to onset of flowering exerted the highest direct influence on total grain yield. Then followed by harvest index, emergence rate, 100-seed weight, net assimilation rate, shelling%, days to 50% flowering, relative growth rate, number of seeds per pod, and number of pods per plant. The highest total effect (0.988) was observed in 100-seed weight, followed by days to first flowering (0.837), days to 50% flowering (0.701), shelling% (0.658), emergence rate (0.574), number of pods per plant (0.557), relative growth rate (-0.375), net assimilation rate (0.226), harvest index (0.183) and number of seeds per pod (- 0.126) in that order. The study demonstrated that combining correlation and path coefficient analyses is important in determining reliable trait associations that can be used for developing superior genotypes. Therefore, days to first flower, days to 50% flowering, harvest index, emergence rate and 100-seed weight should be considered as major selection indices for the improvement of the Bambara groundnut in the Jos-Plateau environment in Nigeria. Key words: Correlation, direct effect, indirect effect, grain yield, Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc., INTRODUCTION Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc] is an indigenous African legume, which is the third most important after peanut and cowpea in terms of consumption and socio-economic impact in [...]

The study analysed the efficiency of Watermelon (Citrullus lenatus) Production in Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting three hundred and sixty (360) respondents. Selection was done with purposive and simple random sampling, and data collected with a structured questionnaire. The objectives of the study were to identify the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, determine the technical efficiency and measure the total resource productivity of watermelon production in the study area. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and quantitative analytical tool of stochastic frontier model (Cobb Douglas production function). Socio-economic attributes like age, farm size, educational status and farm experience were described to show their relationship with watermelon production in the study area. Results of the stochastic frontier model showed that all the estimated coefficients of the variables of the production function were positive except fungicide. They included: farm size (0.0795), labour (0.0201), number of seed grown (0.926) and fertilizer (0.0207). This implied that watermelon output increases with increase in these variables. It was also shown that labour (0.441), fertilizer (0.475) and fungicide (-1.662) did not exert any significant effect on watermelon output as shown by their t-ratio values. For the factors affecting technical inefficiency of watermelon farmers, age of farmers and farm size were negative and significant at 0.05 levels of probability, while household size, educational qualification and farming experience were all positive and significant at 5% levels of significance and type of cropping was positive and significant at 10% level of significance. Non-farm income was positive and significant at 5% level of probability. This means that one unit increase in these variables would increase technical inefficiency of the farmers and hence decreasing their technical efficiency. Finally, the return to scale parameter returned the value 0.967 which indicated that watermelon production in the study area was in the Stage II of the production surface. Based on the results of the analysis the following were recommended. Watermelon farmers should be provided and encouraged to take loans, be assisted with extension services and become members of farmer associations, in order to boost their production. Also inputs such as farm size, labour, seeds, fertilizer and fungicide should be increased for optimum production. Key words: Watermelon, production, stochastic frontier model, technical efficiency, Nigeria, INTRODUCTION Watermelon (Citrullus lenatus) is a warm season crop that is cultivated worldwide ostensibly for it numerous nutritional benefits [1,2]. The fruit contains nutrients and phytochemicals beneficial to human health [...]

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of different doses of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on some production parameters of melon plants. The experiment was carried out in San Roque, which is 24 km from the city of Conception, Paraguay, at the coordinates 57[degrees]14'10.29' South and 23[degrees]19'12.05' West. The study design was the completely randomized block with three replications in a split plot scheme 4x4. The dose used in the main plot was of N (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg [ha.sup.-1]) and in the sub-plot, K (0, 95, 190 and 285 kg [ha.sup.-1]). A light harrow was carried out to prepare the soil, seedlings were produced in 1500 [cm.sup.3] pots of 60-micron thickness and the transplant was carried out when the seedlings had between 4 and 6 true leaves at 30 days after planting. Urea with 45% N was used as the source of nitrogen and potassium chloride 60% was used as the source of potassium. Fertilisation was carried out in September 2017 on two occasions: at 15 and 30 days after transplanting. The spacing used was of 1.5 m between rows and 1.5 m between plants, giving a total of 4356 plants [ha.sup.-1]. Harvesting began 90 days after planting and was carried out three times as the fruits reached commercial ripeness. The variables that were measured were average fruit weight (AFW), total soluble solids (TSS), polar diameter (PD), equatorial diameter (ED), fruit weight per plant (FWP). The data of the evaluated variables were subjected to the analysis of variance using the Fisher test where significant differences were found in: AFW, TSS, PD, ED and FWP. Subsequently, the regression analysis was performed (AFW, TSS and PD) and response surface (ED and FWP). The dose combination that produced the best values for equatorial diameter and fruit weight per plant was 71.9495 kg [ha.sup.-1] of N and 160.554 kg [ha.sup.-1] of K, 77.5921 kg [ha.sup.-1] of N and 147.369 kg [ha.sup.-1] of K, respectively. Key words: Cucumis melo L., fertilizer application, nitrogen, potassium, dose, weight, diameter, productivity, INTRODUCTION The melon plant (Cucumis melo L.) is a herbaceous species that is very well adapted to Paraguay's agroecological conditions. Production in Paraguay is highly seasonal: there is abundant supply [...]

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is the most consumed legume crop in the world, and one of the most consumed legume crops in Botswana. This study aims to identify constraints and opportunities in common beans production in order to enhance common bean production in the country. A survey was conducted among 287 farmers in two districts of Southern and Chobe with farmers selected by multi-stage sampling technique. The majority of farmers were female (66.1%), a few farmers planted common bean (11.5%). Slightly more than a quarter (27.8%) of farmers were above the age of 65 years. Constraints to production included pests and diseases, damage by animals, lack of labour, drought, and lack of seeds. Seven percent of farmers assumed that common bean was a drought tolerant crop and 33% of farmers said common bean taste better than other pulses. However, only 21% preferred to grow it. More farmers (13.2%) grew common bean in the Southern district than farmers in the Chobe district (7.0%). Farmers who grew common bean bought their seeds from Agro dealers (76%) with an average amount of 6kg of seed purchased at a time at an average price of $1.11 k[g.sup.-1]. Common bean was planted on 7% of the arable land that was planted. Most of the farmers (87%) were not trained in common bean production and received little or no assistance from extension officers resulting in little knowledge by farmers about the production of common beans. Strategies to create awareness are needed to facilitate access and mobilise farmers to adopt common beans to improve their livelihoods. This is particularly encouraged in agro-ecological zones such as Chobe with high yield producing potential. Development of seed systems and release of varieties tested in Botswana agro-ecological zones, would increase the production of common bean to improve food security and nutrition, and reduce import bill in Botswana. Key words: Common bean, Cropping systems, Marketing, Production, Phaseolus vulgaris, Agro-ecology, Multi-stage, Pulses, Drought, INTRODUCTION Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is considered the most important food legume crop in human diet in the world [1]. It is an annual legume grown mainly for its rich [...]

Biochar made from crop residues has been shown to improve soil texture, soil porosity and soil structure. It can enhance fertilizer utilization, reduce leaching loses and hence improve nitrogen supply for plant growth. Utilization of biochar in preparation of potting substrates can enhance growth and yields of greenhouse tomato. A study was carried out to test the influence of rice husks biochar on substrate properties, growth and yield of greenhouse tomato. The experiment was carried as a factorial in completely randomized design with two factors: four biochar levels and two soil types, replicated three times. The biochar levels were volume ratios of 0 biochar: 1 soil (OBiochar), 0.25 biochar: 0.75 soil (0.25Biochar), 0.5 biochar: 0.5 soil (0.5Biochar) and 0.75 biochar: 0.25 soil (0.75Biochar). The two soil types used were the well drained deep red friable soil and imperfectly drained dark brown clay soil obtained from the University farm. Tomato Anna F1 was grown in four-liter plastic pots containing about 3 kg of soil-biochar mixture. Data were collected on the plant growth parameters of plant height, number of leaves per plant and plant dry weight upto the 8th - 9th week after transplanting, when fruit ripening began. The chlorophyll index of the leaves were measured using the SPAD meter. At harvesting, fresh weight and number of the fruits were determined. Incorporating biochar into potting substrate at 0.25-0.75 levels significantly increased evapotranspiration during early vegetative growth. This was indicative of biochar changing substrate properties mainly through significant reduction of bulk density and possibly increasing porosity. Biochar levels of 0.25-0.75 resulted in significant increases in vegetative growth and fruit yield of tomato. Adding biochar to the pot substrate increased tomato plant height, plant dry weight and fruit fresh weight by 21-34%, 50-64% and 49%-56%, respectively. The increase in vegetative growth and fruit yield at 0.25-0.75 biochar levels was attributed to the positive effect of biochar on substrate physical properties. Plant height and number of leaves per plant had a significant linear relationship whose slope, the rate of increase in plant height with increase in number of leaves was not influenced by biochar levels. Biochar enhanced growth without changing the ratio of plant height to number of leaves of tomato. It is concluded that incorporation of biochar made from rice husks at 0.25 level can enhance greenhouse production in both red and clay soils. Key words: Bulk density, Dry weight, Fresh fruit weight, Number of leaves, Plant height, INTRODUCTION Biochar is a by-product of pyrolysis involving the thermal decomposition (exothermic) of biomass in an oxygen limited environment. Conversion of local bio-waste into biochar and its utilization as a [...]

Analysis of cereal production allows one to make decisions about the importance of certain products and the water resources. Improving cereal production is crucial in developing the standard of living in Algeria. Actually, it should be part of any future strategy for the country. Most of the arable land in Algeria is in a Mediterranean climate, where droughts are common and rainfall is distributed unevenly throughout the year. Research on the impact of climate variability and irrigation on cereal production is necessary due to the effects on the uneven performance of crops in Algeria. The study considered here is based on statistical methods to model the production of durum wheat, bread wheat, barley and oats. The first method used is principal component analysis. It was applied to classify the data in order to determine the relative importance of the various regions for the evaluation of cereal production. The results exhibit an increasing trend in the cereal production on the period from 2009 to 2012. The 2012 cereal harvest in Algeria proved to be the second highest ever recorded, after that of 2009, despite an unusual period of snow in February. It appears that durum wheat production was explained jointly by precipitation and irrigation. However, the variations in the production of the common wheat, oat and barley can only be explained by precipitation. Agriculture currently depends mainly on precipitation rather than irrigation. Modern irrigation systems could increase production. Therefore, if agricultural production is to be improved, important agricultural irrigation methods are needed to mitigate the impact of climate variability in each agricultural area, mainly in the southern regions of the country. Key words: cereal, irrigation, rainfall, regression, production, wheat, oat, barley, INTRODUCTION Agro-climatic constraints, combined with the recent effects of climate change, are weighing in on the development of Algerian agriculture. Research on the impact of climate change showed declining rainfall [...]